Sociocultural attitudes towards appearance and attitudes towards eating in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The importance of perfectionism

Abstract

Adolescents managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at increased risk of experiencing eating disorders (EDs). Identifying risk factors is essential to develop preventive strategies. This study examines the potential mediation value of self-esteem and the perfectionism associated with EDs in the relationship between sociocultural attitudes toward appearance and eating attitudes related to EDs in a sample of adolescents with T1D. A high degree of perfectionism could be a risk variable when developing potential eating problems in T1D adolescents. Perfectionism and its self-management would be a prominent factor that may help to design interventions developed for adolescents with diabetes who show behaviors that potentially conflict with eating. The clinical implications are discussed.